There has been considerable discussion on the Pew Research Center’s new report titled, “America’s Changing Religious Landscape.” The conclusions of the report certainly seem troubling: Christians are declining as a share of the U.S. population, while those unaffiliated with any faith tradition continue to grow. The report shows that since 2007, Catholicism has seen a 3.1 percent decline, as Catholics decrease from 23.9 percent of the American population to 20.8 percent.

Show Pope Francis the Catholic Church in America!

Pope Francis is coming to America for the first time in September. Since Catholic Extension has been supporting the Catholic Church in America for 110 years, we want you to help us show him the face of American Catholicism.

September 1 is the annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, instituted by Pope Francis shortly after the release of "Laudato Si," his 2015 encyclical on humanity's responsibility to the environment that calls for Christians to be good stewards of creation.

In our work throughout the United States, we are blessed to encounter the natural beauty of God's creation everywhere we go. Scroll through the photos below to get a glimpse of 10 beautiful places we have recently visited, and take time today to thank God for the gift of creation.

Catholic Extension is honored to announce Father John Jenkins, C.S.C. as this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Francis Award. The award will be presented at a dinner event at the Metropolitan Club of New York in New York City on October 22.

Under the care of devoted Catholic leaders, faith communities can flourish under even the most challenging of circumstances. Catholic Extension is committed to supporting the development of seminarians, deacons and lay leaders.